• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • START HERE
  • BOOKS
  • SHOP
  • WORKSHOPS

ERIC KIM

BLOG

  • ARS BETA
  • WHY?
  • AMAZON

Pessimistic Optimism

Selfie ERIC KIM chair red

I am a pessimistic optimist— I love and accept all the cruelty, tragedy, and unfairness in the world, yet I am optimistic about our individual ability to change ourselves and change the world.

Life isn’t fair.

300 Sparta abstract

Life isn’t fair. But should life be fair?

Reality isn’t fair. If we consider the animal kingdom, would a gazelle say it is “fair” that lions are always hunting them? Should the predator feel “guilty” about hunting prey? I think not.

Scorpion abstract

What do we want?

Abstract red black

I’m curious — what do we really want?

I think many people simply want to live a happy bovine-like life. A happy life of a cow — without pain, difficulty, with maximal comfort and pleasure. But do we prefer the life of a pacified cow, or do we prefer to be a (hungry) beast of prey?

Teeth black red shark

What does it mean to be a “pessimist”?

I prefer “realist”. To me, a realist is someone who stares at reality, doesn’t flinch, and doesn’t seek to complain about reality, but rather to understand, game, and exploit reality.

Eye inverse red

Pessimism as the apex of “bad”

Pessimist or pessimism comes from “malus” (bad). And what is bad? The deceptive, the liar, or the small.

Selfie red

But why don’t we like deception? We don’t like to be lied to or deceived, because it feels “unfair”. Also, deception is scary and frightful. But consider how predators always deceive their prey. And humans are predators — we constantly deceive our beasts of burden, our livestock, and other humans. We seek to exploit other animals and humans to our own personal benefit.

Red black abstract

Are you strong enough?

Black red abstract

Reality is cruel, unfair, and chaotic. But the question is:

Are we strong enough to survive it, or even better yet — thrive in reality?

Selfie ERIC KIM chair red

To me, reality is the ultimate video game in hell mode. I love it! A safer and more predictable reality would be more boring. I’d rather choose a severe, dangerous, and interesting and fun life than a safe, predictable and boring life.

How am I so optimistic?

I have insanely epic faith in humanity and human beings. I believe in unlimited human ingenuity. I have faith that humanity will survive and thrive into perpetuity.

Red black abstract

Contrary to the other pessimists out there, I am optimistic in my realism. We humans aren’t gonna self destruct the planet. We will continue to colonize other planets. We will discover new and epic technologies which will continue to improve our quality of life, and allow for new epic human individuals to thrive.

Red selfie black

Once again — how will we live or approach life differently if:

We don’t fear “earth death”.

That the earth continues to perpetuate at least another 5,000-10,000 years. If this were the case, what should we use our lives to strive towards?

ERIC KIM

HENRI SHOULDER STRAP

Film Leica MP x Henri Shoulder Strap (CREMA BROWN)

Supreme >


Street Photography Starter Kit

street photography starter kit by ERIC KIM

Master street photography >


HENRI WRIST STRAP PRO

Henri wrist strap pro

For the pros >

Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship

My brand-new Udemy Course, "Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Photography Entrepreneurship" now live!

Seize your destiny >


Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Photography

eric kim ultimate beginners guide to mastering photography udemy

Master photography >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

red hand ERIC KIM

Unleash your creative potential:

2021:

  • April 10-11th, 2021: BOSTON / Discover Your Unique Voice in Photography Workshop [Register Intent Here]
  • May 1-2nd, 2021: CHICAGO / Street Photography Composition Masterclass [Register Intent Here]
  • May 22-22nd, 2021: NEW YORK CITY / STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS by ERIC KIM [Register Intent Here]

Be notified of when new workshops are live here.


ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free Motivation for You >







JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Media for Photographers

Ars black logo

 

Get real feedback on your photos on ARSBETA.COM

WHY APP?

zen of ERIC KIM why app icon

Never stop asking why?

PHANTOM BLACK HENRI WRIST STRAP

Shoot like a ghost >


STREET NOTES

Never hit the streets without it >


FILM NOTES

Now is your time to (re)learn film >

HENRI WRIST STRAP

The classic CREMA BROWN >

CREATIVE EVERY DAY

Create every day >


PHOTO JOURNAL

Photo Journal Print Edition

Discover more personal meaning in your photography >

OPEN-SOURCE